I recently went on a trip to the East Coast, to Maryland and Virginia, and although I went prepared with my own medical cannabis, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to access my first Maryland cannabis experience.
Cannabis became recreational in Maryland about a year ago, and they have rolled out different products to the public over time. The latest are dabs, which anyone can buy a gram a day. Prior products include an array of edibles and drinks, while the first to come online was flower.
The dispensary that was closest to my hotel in Laurel was called the Green Pointe and was 2 blocks from my hotel. They had some nice delivery vehicles parked in a lot across the street, and it was a straight push to the entrance where I was greeted by security asking for my ID.
Once verified, they actually took my license and gave it to someone who entered me in the
system and then they called my name an led me behind a security door to the dispensary floor. On the Friday I was there it was packed with long snaking lines and 8 budtender stations helping customers.
There was a lot of branding and signage, but very little actual product to see: you could ask the budtender or leaf through the menu, but no flower was displayed nor any edible products to see. However, everything has been tested, so understanding terpenes and cannabinoids was helpful.
Many of the same brands as in Washington state were present, especially edibles. This
surprised me as it is literally on the other side of the US and not “national brands”. Clearly they have expanded as far as possible and I wonder if they are being produced in the west and shipped out east.
Some products that I rely on, such as RSO or FECO and transdermal patches, were not available, even though they had been available before. The recreational market does not need these items, so they disappeared or became expensive, costing about five times more than what I usually pay. This is due to the principles of supply and demand in economic activity.
I was shopping for flowers and was unsure what to expect, so I did not want to spend more than $30 on an ⅛ of flowers. Originally, I asked about types of flowers familiar to me and then asked to read the testing results. I found that THC was high in most samples, but the terpenes told the real story.
I wanted a Kush Mints from Khalifa Kush, which listed 2.4 percent terpenes and 33% THC, but it was too expensive. So, I settled for some White Truffle that was not as terpy but $30 out the door. Gotta love a deal in a new place!
The nuggets were nice, dense, and frosty with an undeniable flavor: White Truffle. Very purple buds that were a bit moist but burned white and clean. I was impressed and stoned. Now I wanted to try more.
I smoked with a borrowed pipe the first night and then bought a sweet hand-blown glass spoon at the dispensary for a very reasonable $15. I packed a large bowl and it felt sublime. I went to an island on the Virginia coast and blew some clouds.
When I got back to Laurel and had run dry of the White Truffle, I beelined it to the shop to score the Kush Mints with 2.4% terpenes, and boy, I didn’t regret that at all with these delicious flavors and solid high. I even considered bringing some back home because they were so good, but alas, all things must come to an end.
I smoked copious amounts in the parking lot late after I was dropped off and saw amazing fireflies. I felt all of the feelings that ebbed and flowed like the waves of the sea. Gifts from the universe, precious everyone. I was blessed and in awe.
I even had time for a big morning bowl and coffee the morning I left. Sadly, the pipe stayed in Laurel, Maryland, with memories and hopes as I look forward immensely to returning to the East for more adventures and cannabis.
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